The Jellicle Chronicles - Year Four

Prologue

Year Four moves us into the fourth series of short stories chronicling the adventures of the Jellicle Cats. The Tribe continues to evolve as new Characters enter the list of Personae Dramatis. First, Pettipaws, Tiger Calico daughter of Rumpleteazer and Mungojerrie, and Nightchaser, son of Tantomile and Coricopat, are born into the Tribe. An injured White Persian Queen is found outside the Vicarage Pipe, and we learn her name is Snowmane. She turns out to be one of Macavity’s more infamous agents, Griddlebone. Worse, yet, Griddlebone’s presence does two things to the Tribe. First and heaviest, she manages to take the Aegis of Bast away from Munkustrap, and substitute a copy. The other part involves the ultimate dream experience for Munkustrap and Demeter. Because the dream of Griddlebone and Macavity, Demeter nearly kills Munkustrap in despair. Horrified by the near miss, Demeter leaves the Tribe, and threatens to wreak havoc upon Macavity’s forces. This event takes place when the Dark twins are absent. During “Halloween,” the Dark Twins conceive a plan to return the soul of Nightwalker for a special mission. To complete the ritual, the Dark Twins isolate themselves, and do not reappear until Spring. Because Munkustrap no longer has the power of the Aegis, he cannot call upon the Choice. Weary from being without Demeter, he still calls the Jellicle Ball, but the Tribe refuses the Choice - all except Demeter. She is tempted to take the Choice and leave this Life to stop hurting the Tribe. Another dream convinces her to stay, and she also refuses the choice. The year ends with renewals, and a special hope. 

    In this series, I remove the Choice from the Jellicle Ball for a reason - there are too few characters that the Tribe can do without at this juncture. Each of the Tribe’s citizens possesses a talent that the Tribe needs right now. Even Sundancer has a part, since she will eventually becomes the Tribe’s artist. Even as I will someday enter the Chronicles and become part of the stories that occur. Thus, the Tribe continues. 

    Also brought into the Chronicles is a wonderful “pest” who has taken on the duties of Research Technician, who wishes to be identified as Dreamteazer. Her addition helps mainly in the development of ANCIENTS, a storyline that evolved from Anna-Karin Larsson’s The Jellicle Tribe. However, ANCIENTS is merely another facet of the Chronicles, so her addition also helps here as well. 

    Finally, a parody comes into play here in the tradition of plays and movies everywhere: “A Jellicle Xmas Carol!” Oh, yes. Mr. Charles Dickens immortal story is produced “Little Theatre” style with our favorite Jellicle characters playing the parts. No, Macavity is not Scrooge - no one would believe the ending. But Skimbleshanks? Aye! Was I drunk when I wrote it? I’m a non-drinker, but staying up nights drinking coffee, Mountain Dew, and Diet Cokes, could be called some sort of abuse, I guess. Nonetheless, the play was produced. 

    In this, the fourth year after the Jellicle Ball, we continue to march forward in time with the events of the Jellicle Tribe.

***** Finis *****